Older individuals with low levels of vitamin B12 seem to be at increased risk of having brain atrophy or shrinkage, new study suggests. Brain atrophy is associated with Alzheimer’s disease and impaired cognitive function.
The study involved 107 participants aged 61 to 87 who were cognitively normal at the beginning of the study. They underwent annual clinical exams, MRI scans and cognitive tests and had blood samples taken. Individuals with lower vitamin B12 levels at the start of the study had a greater decrease in brain volume. While those with the lowest B12 levels had a sixfold greater rate of brain volume loss compared with those who had the highest levels of the vitamin.
Interestingly, none of the participants were deficient in vitamin B12, they just had low levels within a normal range.
Other risk factors for brain atrophy include high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
Source:
:: U.S. News & World Report September 8, 2008
:: “Vitamin B12 status and rate of brain volume loss in community-dwelling elderly” Neurology (2008) 71:826-832
Chapter: Alzheimer's Disease :: 6 October 2008
